Greek mythology the mythology of the ancient greeks. Atlas became associated with northwest africa over time. Atlas definition is a titan who for his part in the titans revolt against the gods is forced by zeus to support the heavens on his shoulders. You flex the head forward as far as it will go, then you push a broad needle or a thin scalpel into what we call the atlas, the. Atlases have traditionally been bound into book form, but today many. Atlas was a greek god who supposedly held up the earth on his shoulders.
Even though a book of maps is called atlas because most early books had a picture of titan atlas holding the world, the first to associate atlas with a bound collection of maps wasnt thinking about titan atlas, but the mythical king of mauretania. This is not meant to be a complete atlas, but it will definitely stimulate discussion and interest in the lands represented. There is also a king atlas of lore who assembled maps and after whom mercator named his first book of maps. The word was coined my the geographer and cartographer mercator, who published the first book called an atlas in 1595. The earliest atlases were not called by that name at the time of their publication, as it was introduced in 1595 by gerardus mercator. Our line of atlases, maps, activity books, and other fine publications are developed to inspire an interest in the world and enrich lifes journey. There are many kinds of specialized atlases, such as road atlases and historical atlases. An atlas is usually divided into map pages and information pages. Why is a book of maps called an atlas the term atlas comes from the name of a mythological greek figure, atlas. Over time, it became common to bind the maps together into one book. The first modern atlas was printed in 1570 by abraham ortelius, a flemish cartographer and geographer. Road atlas buy cheap road atlas online at the works. The 52 illustrated maps in this book invite the reader on a journey of exploration around the world.
Even though a book of maps is called atlas because most early books had a picture of titan atlas holding the world. Ortelius wasnt thinking in terms of books, but, with mercators help, he collected the best maps around. We were thinking of the maps and the world, not a suffering mythical character. From its original seventy maps and eightyseven bibliographic references in the first edition 1570, the atlas grew through its thirtyone editions to encompass 183 references and 167 maps in 1612. In 1595, a collection of maps prepared by the flemish mapmaker gerardus mercator was published with the word atlas in the title.
Collins uk road maps plan your own journey, with collins britain essential uk road atlas 20 with speed camera locations, sat nav friendly postcodes for top attractions, high risk roads map and national rail network map. Standard atlas and directory of holt county, nebraska. The titans one fought with the greek gods and lost. Book of maps atlas facts for kids, history kinooze. In addition to presenting geographic features and political boundaries, many atlases often feature geopolitical, social, religious and economic statistics. The globe originally represented the celestial sphere of ancient astronomy, rather than the earth. Many atlases also contain facts and history about certain places. Only after 1610 did the atlass accuracy begin to be called into question by more recent findings, such as those found in the works of the blaeu. And, thus, atlas was once again forced to hold the sky on his shoulders till eternity.
On the first page of the book, this famous story of atlas was narrated. Family reference atlas of the by national geographic. The mythical figure was tied to the earth so at some point in. National geographic atlas of by national geographic. We discussed the heaviness of the name and agreed that we could call him atty as a little boy, which we often do, but atlas suits him fine as well. Atlas greek mythology a titan who was forced by zeus to bear the sky on his shoulders. Pitzmans new atlas of the city and county of saint louis, missouri. This oversized book is filled with delightful illustrations of 52 maps, showing not only geographical features, but also places of interest, native animals and plants, and more. Ever since then, a book of maps has been called an atlas. Even now, atlas still seems to carry the sky on his shoulders. Ortelius marketdriven invention of the first atlas. Oxford student atlas hindi 2 mini map free for competitive exams. In later centuries, the figure of atlas holding up the earth was often used at the front of a book of maps. Book of maps is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted over 20 times.
A book or collection of maps is called an atlas, named for the greek god who job was to support the heavens and the earth. Atlas referred to a portrait of king atlas, a mythical african monarch. World atlas world map atlas of the world including. It was the first book of maps with images that were uniform in size and design. Atlas simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The greeks usually represented him supporting two huge pillars that held up the earth, and these pillars rested in the sea we call the atlantic ocean, named after atlas. Opening with an original style of contents page, consisting of a world map with countries labelled with the pages where information can be found, the atlas is divided into eight sections, looking at countries within each continent plus the arctic and antarctica. There are many kinds of specialized atlases, such as. Plats of all the townships with owners names, kansas state map showing automobile roads. National geographic atlas of the world, 11th edition. Book of maps definition of book of maps by the free.
For generations, rand mcnally has been compiling accurate. His image was often printed on books with maps and they eventually became known as atlases. Ortelius atlas general atlases articles and essays. About 500 years ago, geradus mercator made a book of maps. A book containing a collection of maps is called an atlas. Later collections of maps included similar pictures of atlas, and came to be called atlases. Its the use of the term atlas as a name for collections of terrestrial maps plus the modern understanding that the earth is a sphere that have combined to inspire the many depictions of atlas burden as the earth. Atlas is a figure from greek mythology known for being punished by zeus and made to bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. The word was coined my the geographer and cartographer mercator, who. Although the term atlas was not in use in 1544, these works are now called iato atlases italian, assembled to order or more frequently lafreri atlases after one of. The first book that in hindsight could be called an atlas was constructed from the calculations of claudius ptolemy, a geographer working in. The definition of atlas is a book of maps or some type of information that includes pictures andor tables and charts. This bundle of maps was decorated with a picture of greek titan atlas, who is believed to have carried the earth on his back. Property ownership maps or plat books kansas historical.
About 500 years ago, in 1585, gerardus mercator, a renowned cartographer from germany made a book of maps. Louis county, missouri, 1909 compiled from county records and actual surveys. Information and translations of atlas in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. The aa uk road atlas is also available in large print. We all are familiar with the book of maps or atlas as we know it. It was called theatrum orbis terrarum, or theater of the world.
So, now you know how atlas the keeper of all the world got its name. The first book that in hindsight could be called an atlas was constructed from the calculations of claudius ptolemy, a geographer working in alexandria circa a. This atlas is an interactive mosaic of 14 aerial photographs of the necropolis from 1979 archive 20070201. Rand mcnally atlases, state maps, street maps, wall maps. Hemispheres eastern, western northern and southern. As punishment for fighting with the titans against the gods, atlas was forced to hold up the planet earth and the heavens on his shoulders. Atlas was also a legendary king of mauretania, the land of the mauri in antiquity roughly corresponding with modern maghreb. The ancient greeks told tales about giant beings called titans.